National Republican., 1887-12-17
TwoLitt|eWaifS
A Local Christmas Story.

when civilized mankind celebrates the birth
Of the Saviour OF the world was almost at
hand. From the upper windows Of huge
lrick and stone churches shone bright lights,
and tu the still evening air sounded out
sweet strains Of music that told the world
that choirs were rehearsing the old, old
ttory Of "peace on earth, good will toward
men"
The city Of Washington had almost com
pleted It's preparations for the merrymakiug
that wac 10 come, and the well.to-do people
and crowded stores were alike clad in holi.
day attire
TrudEipg slowly toward Fifteenth street,
through the freezing slush that covered
sidewalk and street, were two little chill
dren-a boy and a girl. The boy was the
older, and, though his clothing was ragged
and his feet bare, he marched along as
hravely as the stoutest- hearted man. Hold
ing fast his left hand with chilly grip, and
dragging little, was the girl, poor wee
thing, with evidences OF hunger printed on
every angular and pallid feature Of the
miserable pinched face. She was not more
than years old, but in that brief existence
had been crowded 50 much Of suffering
form, and the last spark Of that spirit which
marks the lire between life or mere exist
enCe was on the verge Of taking its flight.
"Jimmy.' said the little one, bravely en-
deavoriDg to restrain the tears that would
course down her checks, "Jimmy, where's
we goin'Y Use so tired and cold.n
"Aih't goin' much futher,m was the boys
reply. "Right down there," pointing to
tie Junction Of New York avenue and Fif.
teenth street, "is lots o. people. Maybe,
Mag, Eomebody IL give us a nickel an then
we Kin git sumthen to eat.n
"OOEn exclaimed the little one, "look
at that bew'ful place" And tempted by
the brilliant store windows the weary pair
crossed the street to gaze at the magnificent
array OF the necessaries and luXuries OF lie
as displayed in the windows OF a huge
grocery store. Baskets filled to overflow.
ing With luscious grapes and oranges were
IeGr the door, while around them rosy
checked apples mingled In contrast with
bright colored lemons. Huge pyramids OF
glass jars filled with jellies and preserves
reared themselves on high. Shelves loaded
down with every description OF edible
dainty stretched out their apparently end
lets length, and In the brlllIancy OF the
scene the two little staryellngs forget the
burger and the cold.
"See there, Mag" said the boy, "looiI at
them cakes on that there table"
Tie little pinched nose was nattened
against the window and the sad eyes peered
IN the direction indicated at a number of
home made fruit cakes, OF which the house
was makir g speciality.
So absorbed were they in looking at the
newly found world that they heard not the
footsteps of an elderly man who, seeing the
ragged little waits at the window, had
stopped TO watch them.
hllOnit | wish I pOull oft Soma NJ that
cake for .ye, Mag" came from the boys
lips. "Ye'd like it, and" he added, "so'd
/, Ter hain't had nothin' this blessed day."
Somebody's hand touched his shoulder
and he turned quickly. Somebody's voice
sounded out through huge muller:
"Come in, both OF you. I'll fill you for
once"
And in they crspt-into the grateful
warmth Of the beautiful store--and while
they. munched the preserve besmeared
crackers which their benefactor bought foi
teauries 10 'inpruse1y scattered around
In one glass case were fancy boxes OF i'm
ported chocolates-the most delicious o.
CONNECTIONS; in another were arranged
wax candles Of every conceivable shade anC
hue enthusiastically decorated, while along
: eide OF that were ornamental candle shades
In colors that riyaled the beauties Of
rainbow.
Busy clerks hustled around and waited
upon the crowds Of customers, who real
lied that there was but one store 10 the city
from which TO buy their Christmas fruits
nuts, cakes, and candy, and that store wa
the one which they were in. Mr.. Magru LEI
was husying himself in not only seeing tha
every one was being waited upon, but wa
ready at any moment to charm q customer
with his persuasiveness.
Upstairs could be heard the rumbling oil
barrels and the rattle or boxes, as the hug
stock was rapidly being decreased by heav!
IL
clinBipg Of bottles, for down in its gloomy re
cessts was gathered every variety Of "stronl
waters" and the voice Of the season wa
calling them forth.
The present appetite Of the children wa
stayed, and after shyly thanking theI
generous but unknown friend, the children
found themselves once more on the coli
street, still looking with a genuine bu
more familiar admiration at the beautlfu
store.
"Hanyr -
"Yes, dear.n
"Why will you bring me such stories a
this ~
And the young and pretty bride helt
out the book she had been reading.
"lts Christmas story, puss, and
thought that was the variety Of literature
best suited to the SEASON." was the hus
Mrs, Franklin laid down the volume
with sigh.
'It's SO sad," she said, mournfully
"Wly is there so much of misery at
time when all the world should rejoice
We are so happy. ourselves that | wlsl
everyone else could be happy too.n
Aud the soft-voiced wife gazed sorrow
fully at the burning logs which cracked an
Ioared in the open fireplace.
Every surrounding was beautiful. Tn
walls were plastic and OF light amoe
color that glowed and changed In the fire
light with peculiar beauty. Every deco
ration was suggestive OF Flora's brightes
offerings. The tones OF the cornce an
ceiling were soft blues and old plnks wilt
all the Complementary colors In their varie
and exquisltely blended beauties. A cal
pet OF the tbckest English moquette COZ
cred the floor, and compelled the heavies
footsteps to be noiseless. Every article O
furniture was in perfect harmony with tn
decorations that had been so lavlshly We
artistically bestowed. The hangIngs, 1
heavy. folds, of deep rich hues, were 8
graceful, so warm, that nothing nor
could be desired The room was poeI
Of color and beautiful design worthy IL
genius Of Milne.
Money to Mr.. Franklin was useful onl
for what 1t would buy, and he had expende
IL laNishly on the cage to which he ha
brought his "birdien but few weeks b
fore. Anything that he considered nece
sary, and great deal that was not necet
ssry, had been purchased to complete th
furnishing OF his nome. But even to hiu
accustomed to luxury from his lnfancl
bis home was more beautiful, Viewing
critically, than any he had ever seen, an
when Milne, two Gays before the weddin!
escorted him through the house he coul
scarcely find words to express his admir-
tiop, and as he thought OF 1t, reclining
lia heauilfullV unhOlgtaral aaay haI